Reusable and Stackable Merchandise Racks

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a stackable display stand comprising a unitary structure having an open interior volume, a forward-facing shelf or rack area, a display header and a lower foundation region. The stand is adapted to support and display a plurality of merchandise items on its shelf area and to display signs along its header for use in retail areas, wherein magazines, literature or sale items may be easily displayed for customers or passersby to visualize and purchase. The stand structure is designed to be insertable into a second stand of the same design, wherein the open interior volume allows two or more stands to be stacked on top of one another when stowed or transported, reducing consumed space. The stand is adapted to provide a sturdy, stackable replacement for currently available corrugated or collapsible stands utilized in marketplaces, convention areas or other consumer high traffic areas.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/469,431 filed on Mar. 30, 2011, entitled “Stack-A-Slant.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to display racks and merchandise supportshelves. More specifically, the present invention pertains to areusable, formed shelf structure that is constructed of unitaryconstruction that can be stacked when not in use to reducing wastedspace and eliminate shelf assembly when deployed.

Merchandise racks are devices utilized in retail environments to displayconsumer goods and other articles for distribution, such as magazines,food products or pamphlets. The present invention relates to racksystems having an independent structure, wherein the display rack iscapable of standing independently of a support structure, whichdifferentiates its type of structure from wall-mounted racks or retailshelving, wherein these items are secured to a wall, hold considerablymore products and are not suited for modular placement within a retailenvironment. The present invention relates to an independent displayrack or stand device that is moveable to any desired position fordisplaying a given product, such the ends of supermarket isles,entrances to an area or any prominent customer location within a store.It is also related to a support stand for literature, flyers orinformational pamphlets, which can be placed within an office orutilized in a temporary location, such as a convention or temporarykiosk. These types of racks and display stands, unlike static storefixtures or merchandise stands, are well adapted for temporarilydisplaying and distributing articles to a particular audience, whereinthe information or articles can be placed in a particular point ofinterest, point of purchase, or high traffic area.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Currently available display stands include those of varying structureand design for the purpose of creating a standalone display thatattracts purchases or passerby attention. Typical display stands, alsoknown as point of purchase displays, are generally temporary structurescomprised of a folded, corrugated material that formed to create asegmented, disassemblable structure. These types of displays are usefulfor creating a temporary stand and one of low cost to the user. However,these devices are generally low weight-bearing and require assembly todeploy. After their use, they are generally discarded or recycled infavor of a fresh replacement sign. These temporary structures are thuscumbersome to deploy and adapted to provide a short lifespan beforebeing discarded.

The present invention provides a sturdy structure formed of a molded orpreassembled shape, wherein a display rack and display area is providedand is well adapted to support considerably heavier loads than temporarydisplay racks. Further, the present invention is designed to be readilystackable with racks of the same design, wherein a first rack can beinserted into the open interior volume of a second rack to facilitateease of storage and transportation. The molded, heavier dutyconstruction also allows a user to wash the rack after each use, in thecase of supporting food products wherein spillage or leaking items mayrequire cleaning between uses. The design of the display rack includesan open interior volume adapted to accept the upper portion of a rack ofthe same design, a forward-facing shelf or rack area, a display headerand a lower foundation region.

Devices have been disclosed and patented in the prior art that relate todisplay racks and temporary supports for retail goods and magazines.These devices have familiar design elements for the purposes ofsupporting and displaying articles; however these devices lackstructural features and stacking ability of the present invention. Themost relevant display rack devices in the prior art do not describe adisplay device that employs an upper region adapted to conform to theinner volume of its lower region, facilitating stacking of a pluralityof racks of equal design. Most devices relate to temporary, disposabledisplay racks, or those of differing intent or design. The devicesdeemed most relevant to the present disclosure are herein provided.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,168 to Dyment discloses a portabledisplay comprising a front panel, a back panel, opposing side panels anda bottom panel assembly having four bottom flaps. The bottom flaps arefoldable into a closed position to form a seat to mount a wheelassembly, wherein the assembly can then be easily transported by tippingthe display and rolling it into a desired location. The Dyment deviceprovides an assembly that can be constructed and deconstructed to form aplurality of support shelves, while a wheel assembly provides a means totransport the shelf assembly from one location to another. Whileproviding a unique display shelf, the Dyment device provides no means tostack or combine when stowed after use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,922 to Smith describes a merchandise display standhaving a plurality of shelves that are continuously adjustable along apair of tracks that provide vertical adjustment of each shelftherealong. The elevation of each shelf is adjustable along each trackto accommodate different sized merchandise and user preferences. In asimilar drawback as the Dyment device, the Smith device discloses nomeans for stacking a plurality of displays after use for storing ortransporting purposes. The Smith device is related to a new and improveddisplay shelf that provides inherent adjustability with regard to theshelving location to accommodate larger or smaller sized merchandisethereon.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,790 to Muscari describes an assemblablemerchandise support for displaying articles in a vertical relationship,wherein the support is comprises of a cardboard, boxboard or othersimilar sheet material. The support comprises a base having a verticalback panel and opposing side panels folded forward to create a supportfor a plurality of shelves placed therein via tab and slot joints. TheMuscari device discloses the common temporary merchandise support shelfthat is assembled from a sheet material to form a display having aplurality of shelves and an assembly that is easily located anddiscarded after use. The shelves are removable to provide a modularstructure and one that can be easily assembled from inexpensivematerials. The present invention, alternatively, is one of definedstructure, wherein a display rack is provided having a stackable designand one that can be readily used without assembly and thereafter cleanedand reused.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,005 to Robertson discloses a corrugatedpaper display stacker having a plurality of rotatable trays that aredeployable into a horizontal position and stowable into a verticalposition when not in use. A double acting torsion spring having hooks onprotruding fingers are inserted into the fluting of each tray, whereinthe tray can be pivoted into its two primary positions to facilitate useor storage. The weight of merchandise keeps the trays in their workingposition, while when unloaded the trays are rotated back to theirvertical state. The Robertson device discloses a display shelf havingsupport shelves that can be stowed into a vertical position when not inuse, as opposed to the present invention, which offers a display rackdesign that is insertable into the base of second display rack device toallow stacking. No moving parts are included in the present invention,but rather the exemplary embodiment contemplates a formed, unitarystructure that is comprised of a molded plastic or similarly designed,one-piece unit.

The present invention comprises an upright, standalone display rackadapted for retail use, wherein the rack can be easily transported andplaced in an ideal location to attract customers and distribute articlesto passersby. The rack is preferably constructed of a molded,single-piece construction that includes a shelf region, a displayheader, a base and an interior volume adapted to accept the shelf regionand display header of a second rack of identical design. This provides astructure that is easily stackable and facilitates improved storage andtransportation, while its structure promotes continual reuse fordifferent locations or purposes. The structure and intent of the presentinvention is substantially divergent in design elements from the priorart, consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for animprovement to existing temporary display rack devices. In this regardthe instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofmerchandise displays now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new display wherein the same can be utilized for providingconvenience for the user when storing a plurality of identical displaysin a stacked configuration between temporary deployments in desiredlocations.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved display devices device that has all of the advantages of theprior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reusablemerchandise display that provides an interior volume adapted to accept asecond display of identical design, allowing a plurality of displays tobe stacked.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusablemerchandise display that can be easily cleaned between uses andthereafter redeployed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandisedisplay that is preferably of a molded, single-piece construction thatrequires not setup or assembly to deploy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandisedisplay that alternatively requires very little assembly to initiallydeploy, whereafter the display remains assembled and can be stacked forcondensed storage or transport.

It is a final object of the present invention to disclose a merchandisedisplay having a base, a display rack area, a display header and an openinternal volume, wherein the display rack is adapted to support aplurality of retail or informational articles thereon for display,purchase or distribution.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the presentdisplay rack in a deployed state.

FIG. 2 shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the presentdisplay rack in a deployed state.

FIG. 3 shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the presentdisplay rack in a stacked state.

FIG. 4 shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the presentdisplay rack in a stacked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the display rack device. For the purposes of presenting abrief and clear description of the present invention, the preferredembodiment will be discussed as used for providing a rugged, stackableand reusable display rack device. The figures are intended forrepresentative purposes only and should not be considered to be limitingin any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown frontal perspectiveviews of the merchandise stand of the present invention in a deployedstate. The stand is a standalone structure that is self-supportive andadapted to retain and display a plurality of items thereon for retail orinformational purposes. The stand of the present invention is onecontemplated as having a singular, molded shape so as to create arugged, ready to use stand that requires no additional steps to assembleor deploy. An alternate embodiment further contemplates minor assemblysteps to form the finalized shape. In both embodiments, the primarysource of novelty lies in the reusability and stackability of the standshape, wherein the stand can be deployed for holding a wide variety ofitems, whereafter it can be cleaned and stored in a condensed, stackablelayout so as to reduce unnecessary consumption of floor space in aparticular environment.

There are several key elements to the present invention which form thestand shape and facilitate its function. Specifically, the standcomprises a base 11 that supports the upper portions of the stand and isadapted to support a given design load of merchandise while remainingstable during operation. Above the base 11 is a display rack area 12 inwhich merchandise, literature or any other placeable articles may bepositioned for passersby to inspect and remove. Above the display rackarea 12 is a display header 13, which can be utilized to secureplacards, sale signs or other eye-catching information that a retailermay utilize to draw attention to the stand. While deployed, the base isplaced on a flat surface and supports the stand and merchandise placedthereon. The base 11 is therefore required to be of sufficient width anddepth to prevent tipping of the assembly. In an exemplary embodiment,the base is a rectangularly hollow member having an open internal volume14 enclosed by a forward surface, a rear surface and two opposinglateral surfaces. The open interior reduces overall weight of thedevice, and further facilitates the primary advantage of the presentinvention: stackability.

The present invention upper portion comprises the display header 13 anddisplay rack area 12, which is supported by the stand base 11. The upperportion elements are adapted to fit within the open interior volume 14within the stand base 11 to allow a first stand to be placed on top of asecond stand of identical design, wherein the two can be condensedwithin one another in a shortened overall height. A majority of thesubordinate stand is placed within the stand thereover to efficientlycondense their combined stacked height. Subsequent racks of identicaldesign can further be added to create several stacked merchandise racks,reducing wasted space, facilitating stowage and improving simultaneoustransport of more than one rack.

The present racks are adapted for multiple uses, wherein their structureallows a user to display a given set of articles, remove those articlesand clean the rack before redeployment. The structure of the rack ispreferably one of molded plastic or similar material, which forms aunitary structure with no separated or moving parts. The rack can bestripped of all signs and supported articles and pressure washed or handwashed between uses, if so desired. If no food products are handled,cleaning may be unnecessary or require less diligence. In an alternateform, the rack can be supplied in several pieces and require minorassembly prior to use. The walls of the base 11 may be attachabletogether to form the base, whereafter the display rack 12 may beassembled thereto and finally the display header may be fitted. Aplurality of brackets and fasteners are used to join the elements of therack to form its final shape. After assembly, the rack is kept togetherand stored in a stacked configuration as with the case of the unitaryembodiment.

The display rack area 12 of the present invention may also take severalforms. In its simplest form, this area 12 is an inclined region thatmeets an outwardly directed ledge forming a surface upon which to placean article and have it rest against the inclined region. Thisconfiguration is shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, and as shown inFIG. 1, the rack area 12 is an enclosed area wherein outwardlyprojecting sidewalls 15 prevent articles from falling from either sideof the device. The outwardly directed ledge may also be enclosed to forma pocket region, which securely retains any articles placed therein,such as magazines or food products. Further still, the inclined regionof the display area 12 may be tiered or stepped in order to provideseveral ledges upon which to place articles in a stepped fashion and invertical relationship. Finally, the display header may be enclosed,removable or absent from the display, allowing for a modular, stackablerack system that provides flexibility and several design variants for auser to deploy.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown frontal perspectiveviews of the present invention in a stacked state, wherein a pluralityof display stands of identical design are stacked upon one another toreduce consumed space. Each stand employs an open interior volume 14within its base 11, within which the upper region of the stand isfitted. The upper region comprises of the display area 12 and thedisplay header 13. The design of the open interior volume 14 is one thatallows the outer contour of the stand upper region to fit therein,facilitating fitment of one stand over a majority of another stand suchthat the two are tightly compacted. Several stands may be stacked inalignment, whereafter they may be separated and deployed as necessary.

The design and construction of the stand may take several forms. In anexemplary embodiment, the stand is one of formed or molded plastic andof unitary construction. The thickness and material of the stand isdesigned to withstand a design load of merchandise, while also providinga material and thickness thereof that resists cracking, scratching ordenting during use. The assembled embodiment utilizes severalindependent pieces of similar material that are secured together viafasteners and other hardware to form the desired shape, having equalruggedness of the unitary embodiment.

The main goals of the present invention is to disclose a merchandisedisplay stand of improved ruggedness and having a novel means ofstorage, such that several stands can be stacked and stored betweenuses. The stand is ideal for retail environments and is to be capable ofreadily presenting a product, product information or promotional item inan appealing manner to the customers and in a desired location. Theyprovide improved point of service sales where static displays and rackfixtures may fall short. The present invention is a self-supportivestand having an inherently stackable design, and one that can be easilymoved or placed in high visibility areas to grab attention to improvesales or distribution of material. The specific design details of thepresent invention are not intended to be limited, but rather it isdesired to disclose a display stand having a base, display rack area, adisplay header and an open interior volume so as to facilitate stackingof identical stands.

In light of the submitted prior art and the given disclosure, it issubmitted that the instant invention has been shown and described inwhat is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments.It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scopeof the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a personskilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is tobe realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts ofthe invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1) A stackable display stand, comprising: a base having a forwardsurface, a rear surface and two connecting lateral surfaces; an upperregion above said base comprising a display rack area adapted to supporta plurality of articles thereon; an open interior volume within saidbase and extending into said upper region; said upper region exteriorshape adapted to fit within said open interior volume of said base andupper region to facilitate stacking of identical stands. 2) The deviceof claim 1, wherein said upper region further comprises a display headerabove said display rack area. 3) The device of claim 1, wherein saiddisplay rack area further comprises an inclined region having anlowermost outwardly projecting ledge forming a surface upon which toplace articles thereon and thereagainst. 4) The device of claim 1,wherein said display rack area further comprises outwardly projectingsidewalls along lateral sides to enclose said display rack area. 5) Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said display rack area further comprises aninclined region having a lowermost outwardly projecting ledge andoutwardly projecting sidewalls along lateral sides to enclose saiddisplay rack area and form a pocket region. 6) The device of claim 1,wherein said display rack area further comprises a plurality of ledgesupon which to place articles in a stepped fashion and in a verticalrelationship.